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Written by Eric
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Saturday, 24 June 2006 08:39 |
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Freedom of choice be gone . That is what the Maryland General Assembly decided this week during its special session to discuss BGE electicity rate hikes. The General Assembly decided that consumers had no right to make a choice as to whether to take part in a rate reduction plan or not. The plan would lock in the rate increase to 15% for a year, after which it will go up to the full market rate, currently estimated to be about 72% higher than current rates. While this sounds good initially, the fact that there will be a carryover charge and the remainder of the increase for that year period will just be spread over 10 years, including interest, makes the plan come out smelling like a big steaming pile of dog crap. I can understand having such a plan in place for people who can't possibly pay the full amount right now and hope to find a way in the next year. I can even understand having everyone automatically on the plan with the ability to get off via a phone call or web form. The General Assembly, overriding the Governer's veto, decided that there was no need for people to have a choice. Yeah for democracy! All hail the general assembly!
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